Coach Train Mentor or Sponsor?

Coach Train Mentor Sponsor?

How much of your career success do you attribute to others?  For many there are friends, colleagues and associates who’ve helped us to get where we are. But there are other groups - mentors, coaches and sponsors who are also integral to success. These terms are often used interchangeably but there is a difference between these roles and you’ll find one more suitable than another at different times in your career. So, what are the differences?

 Training is probably the most obvious development tool available and used commonly by businesses and organisations. Its emphasis is on improving performance through the development and improvement of skills, reducing gaps between existing and required skills necessary for successful completion of a task or job. While it may be formal or informal there is usually a way of measuring success. It is delivered by people with high levels of technical knowledge and often practical experience.

 Coaching also deals with performance but is focussed on the behavioural changes required to achieve it. Often it involves a focus on what holds people back from achieving the desired outcome. While the objective may be specific e.g. How to have a difficult conversation, Coaching will focus on behaviours, attitudes and mindsets required to achieve a successful outcome. It may relate to one or more specific areas, the coach will assist development through a combination of listening and questioning skills. Coaching may be delivered formally or informally as 1-2-1 conversations or in small groups and may be delivered as a one-off session or over a 6 – 9 month period to support behavioural change.

Coaches often offer an initial meeting which will help you to assess their energy and experience. You should feel excited and inspired by the conversation. Make sure you understand their area of expertise and be clear on how their coaching process works.

 Mentoring covers more wide-ranging career issues than coaching because it deals with the mentees’ overall professional development and advancement. Although mentor and mentee might spend time on improving performance, the relationship usually extends to larger and longer-term personal and professional career issues.  Mentors often employ coaching as one of their tools, along with confidence building, role modelling, counselling and support.

 Not sure how to find a Mentor? Think about people in your network – who do you admire and why? Understand what it is about this person, what they do and how they do it and why this is important to you.  A number of organisations have internal mentoring programs where they match mentors and mentees based on aligned interests and experience. You may have different mentors at different stages, each supporting your objectives at that time.

Sponsorship is a mutually beneficial relationship where both the sponsor and protégé, actively and publicly work for each other’s success. A sponsor is typically a senior leader who uses strong influence to connect you to career opportunities and to help you obtain high-visibility assignments, promotions or jobs. Sponsors advocate for your advancement and champion you with other senior leaders. They publicly endorse your qualifications, take risks on your behalf and guide you to the right opportunities. A sponsor will also help you to access opportunities and sometimes push you to take an opportunity!

 Opportunities for sponsorship come from a number of different avenues which your performance and achievements being observed from many different quarters. If you’re looking for a sponsor and see value in this relationship, make sure that your performance and achievements are clearly visible. Make sure that you understand what you are trying to accomplish before approaching a sponsor and ensure you have career goals which you’ve shared with leaders. It’s not necessarily about a certain leadership style but you do need to be able to respect your sponsor and it can help to look for someone with similar goals and aspirations.

 Which one is best for you?

 The world has changed and will continue to change and it’s not your employer who looks after your career now.  If you want to succeed, you need to manage upwards to progress your career. While there may be talent programs and training opportunities, we all need to take ownership of our own careers so consider who can help you and in what capacity.